Share a special evening of music with your valentine as the Akron Symphony Orchestra presents “Gospel Meets Symphony on February, 14, 2014 at 7:30 at the EJ Thomas Hall.

This one night only show features the 200 voice Gospel Meets Symphony Choir as it joins with the Akron Symphony to perform a collection of some of the most inspiring gospel and classical works. The Orchestra will be conducted by Akron Symphony Orchestra Music Director, Christopher Wilkins with the choir under the direction of Chorus Master Jennifer Mekel Jones.

“Gospel is all about good news. Symphony brings musical genius to life. Each can stand alone, but its pure magic to see them come together,” said Gospel Meets Symphony Chorus Master, Jennifer Mekel Jones. “If you haven’t witnessed it before, I assure you that you won’t be able to stay in your seat.”

“Plenty of other cities do gospel music concerts with their orchestras, but what’s unique in Akron is the emphasis on community,” said Maestro Christopher Wilkins. “It isn’t just a concert of music from a multitude of traditions. The music is a tool for bringing people together and inviting their wholehearted participation with us. That’s the higher purpose ofGospel Meets Symphony.”

“Gospel Meets Symphony” is the season’s premiere collaboration concert that unites the Akron community for an evening of inspired music. Featured during the concert will be the appearances of Wanda Hunt, Johnathon Turner, Marquetta Wootson, Ethel Satterwhite, Charmaine Wilson, Doretha Folds-Williams and Charlene DeJournett. Chuck Collins of Rubber City Radio Group will return as emcee.

“The Gospel Meets Symphony choir itself is a means of connecting with a diversity of communities in our city through our Akron-based musicians, including university faculty and students, teachers, church musicians, professional instrumentalists and singers, and amateur musicians,” said Wilkins. “No symphony tradition has done more to foster deep bonds within this community than our annual Gospel Meets Symphony program.”

Tickets for “Gospel Meets Symphony” are on sale and range from $25 to $55 with discounts for seniors, students (50% off) and groups of 10 or more (25% off). Great seats are still available, but tickets are going fast.

Visit the Akron Symphony website for a complete concert calendar and additional program details. Patron tickets are available for an additional $35 each and include valet parking, a listing in the concert program and an invitation to the post-concert reception. Patron tickets can only be purchased through the Akron Symphony office. Interpreters will be available at this concert.

The Akron Symphony appreciates our sponsors, including Concert Sponsor, FirstMerit Foundation, media partners Akron Beacon Journal/Ohio.com, 89.7FM WKSU, Akron Life, 1590AM WAKR, The Wave and The Light. Additional support is provided by The University of Akron and the Ohio Arts Council, which helps fund Akron Symphony Orchestra concerts with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

About the Akron Symphony Orchestra

For 62 years, the Akron Symphony Orchestra has been a driving musical force throughout the Greater Akron area. Widely recognized for musical excellence and performance versatility, the Akron Symphony Orchestra is committed to enhancing the quality of life of our community through educational and musical excellence. The Akron Symphony Orchestra is operated by the Greater Akron Musical Association, Inc. (GAMA). GAMA’s vision is to be embraced and sustained as a community treasure that provides a welcoming environment for all people to experience great music. This vision is realized by operating the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Akron Youth Orchestras, Akron Symphony Chorus, and numerous special outreach and educational programs.

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Mark Horning was blessed as a child to have parents who appreciated good music and the performing arts. Some of his happiest memories were when they attended the Columbus, Ohio Art Gallery Chamber Music programs on Sundays. Piano lessons gave him a finer appreciation of the difficulty of the performances. Over the years he has learned to play dulcimer, write poetry and compose his own music with lyrics. His martial arts training as a young man gave him a deep appreciation of the dance genre which he still has. He has a deep affection for the performing arts and hope that this love shows through in his writings.